Role of Contrast CT in Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Objective: To evaluate the role of CT abdomen in the localization of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Summary Background Data: The source of bleed in acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding is often difficult to localize. The role of CT in the evaluation of this group of patients has not been clearly addressed. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients with acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding over a 3-year period was carried out. When endoscopy failed to localize the source and bleeding continued, angiography and/or scintigraphy were carried out. In contrast, those who had normal endoscopies and had clinically stopped bleeding, underwent CT abdomen. Results: CT done in 7 patients with no evidence of active bleed identified a lesion in 6 (86%). Conclusions: CT may be useful in acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding where endoscopy fails to localize a lesion and bleeding has stopped temporarily.